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Anti-war essays, poems, short stories and literary excerpts
American writers on peace and against war
Women writers on peace and war
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Frances Sargent Osgood
Peace
Olive
To thee the heavens, in thy nativity,
Adjudged an olive branch, and laurel-crown,
As likely to be blessed in peace and war.
SHAKESPEARE
This tree has been celebrated in all ages as the bounteous gift of Heaven, and as the emblem of peace and plenty. Peace – wisdom – concord – clemency – joy – the graces – have ever been crowned with olive.
The dove sent out of the ark by Noah to ascertain if the waters were assuaged, returned bearing a branch of olive, as a symbol of that rest which Heaven was about to restore to the earth.
The sinner placed a verdant spray
Within her dead child’s hand,
And turned, in wordless grief, away –
A lost one, barred and banned!
In that fond act were prayer and vow –
Oh! be her guilt forgiven!
Her dovelet bears an olive-bough,
To make her peace with Heaven.
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